By Ajah Jennifer

The World Health Organization said Malaria remains a critical public health issue in South Sudan, with approximately 7,680 new cases and 18 deaths reported daily.

According to the Sudan 2024 annual report, about 2.8 million malaria cases and 6,680 deaths were reported in the country.

It said this accounted for 1.1% of the global malaria burden.

The country’s warm, humid climate and extensive wetlands offer ideal breeding conditions for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

The seasonal recurrent flooding, which intensified in 2024, worsened the situation by displacing populations and disrupting healthcare services.

These conditions have driven the persistence of malaria transmission across the country.

Though the country had introduced the R21 malaria vaccine into the national immunization programme in 2024. Over 645,000 doses were distributed to 28 counties with the highest malaria burden and since its rollout in July 2024.

A total of 79,196 children aged 5–23 months received the vaccine. Despite the promising start, the programme faced challenges, including a 57% dropout rate between the first and second doses, and an 82% dropout by the third dose.

In order to boost diagnosis and treatment, 1.4 million rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and medications for over 760,000 individuals were distributed by the WHO.

The standard treatment for severe malaria (Injectable artesunate), was also provided to support case management at various levels of the health system.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Malaria Indicator Survey showed a remarkable increase in access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) from 55% in 2017 to 94.7% in 2023, with usage also improved, rising from 32% to 67%.

 However, the malaria prevalence among children under five surged from 32% to 52.6%, indicating that ITN distribution alone is not enough.

The Ministry of Health and health partners have taken up a subnational tailoring approach, but according to recent results, adjusted interventions based on local data and contexts optimize the impact of prevention and treatment in high-burden areas.

Despite concerted efforts by the Ministry of Health and partners, including the introduction of the R21 vaccine, expanded distribution of rapid diagnostic tests, medications, and insecticide-treated nets, malaria continues to pose a severe threat to public health in South Sudan.